The Oneworld carrier's first A380 will arrive in July and the airline has opened ticket sales for services to Los Angeles beginning on 15 October.

It says Hong Kong will be its second A380 destination. BA will operate the A380 to Hong Kong from 15 November.

Before operating these long-haul routes, BA is planning to train pilots on the type by deploying it on short-haul routes within Europe, although it has yet to disclose the sectors involved.

"A380 enthusiasts eager to be on the very first commercial services should note that dates for these will be announced once plans for training flights are completed," says the carrier.

It says it will finalise the dates of these inaugural flights "over the next few months".

BA is to operate its A380s with 469 seats in a four-class configuration, but full details will be revealed once the first aircraft arrives at London Heathrow in July. It has ordered 12 of the type, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines.

"This will be a very special premiere," says BA chief Keith Williams. "London and Los Angeles are two world-leading cities, and we are proud to be the first airline to connect them with the A380."